Registered Manager / Deputy Manager (Step-Up) – Children’s Residential Care

Location: North London

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience + performance-related benefits Circa £60,000

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Overview

Key Health is working in partnership with an established children’s residential care provider to recruit an experienced Registered Manager or a Deputy Manager ready to step up for a children’s residential home in North London.

This role is suited to:

• Registered Managers seeking a new opportunity, or
• Experienced Deputy Managers with strong leadership capability looking to progress into a Registered Manager position, with appropriate support.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the home, ensuring high-quality, child-centred care in line with Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead & manage daily operation of a children’s residential care home
• Ensure safeguarding, welfare, and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Maintain full compliance with Children’s Homes Regulations, Quality Standards, & Ofsted frameworks
• Provide strong leadership, supervision, and development to staff teams
• Oversee care planning, risk management, and incident reporting
• Manage staffing, rotas, recruitment, and performance management
• Build effective relationships with local authorities, families, and external professionals
• Lead on quality assurance, audits, inspections, and continuous improvement
• Ensure the home consistently meets or exceeds regulatory expectations

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Experience as a Registered Manager, or substantial experience as a Deputy Manager within children’s residential care
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent / actively working towards)
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, regulatory compliance, and inspection frameworks
• Proven ability to lead, support, and develop staff teams
• Confident, professional communication and leadership skills
• Clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting children with complex needs, including EBD, SEMH, ASD, or trauma-related behaviours
• Trauma-informed or therapeutic care training
• Experience supporting or leading Ofsted inspections or service improvement plans

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary with performance-related incentives
• Structured support for Deputy Managers stepping into Registered Manager roles
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension and employee benefits
• Ongoing professional development and leadership mentoring
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a high-quality children’s service

How to Apply:

Applications are welcomed from Registered Managers and Deputy Managers ready to progress. Please submit your CV to Key Health for a confidential discussion about the role and development pathway.